JP Morgan offered a target price of 51 hkd to Bank of East Asia (BEA) after the lender's 2007 results.

Merck KGaA, the world's biggest maker of liquid crystals for televisions, stated fourth- quarter profit .

The most global U.S.-based food company H.J. Heinz Co. announced that its full-year profit will be near the top of its forecast range.

Abercrombie & Fitch Co. posted that its fourth-quarter profit rose 9.4% on higher Internet sales and purchases at its namesake chain.

A worldwide operator and franchisor of a range of value and luxury hotels and related lodging facilities, Marriott International Inc., posted that its fourth quarter earnings fell 20% as it took a hit from the closure of its synthetic fuel business, offsetting overseas gains.

The third largest tire company in the world Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. announced its fourth-quarter profit rose to 52 million dollars, boosted by strong U.S. and international premium tire sales.

German automaker Daimler AG posted that its net income rose to 4 billion euros (5.83 billion dollars) in 2007 as sales surged to nearly 100 billion euros (145.86 billion dollars) on demand for its upscale sedans and SUVs.

French food group Danone, the leader in dairy products, announced that its net income tripled thanks to a 3.1 billion euros capital gain on the sale of its biscuit business and as it bought Dutch babyfood maker Numico.

An independent provider of health and social care services Southern Cross Healthcare Group Plc announced that first-quarter income surged 61% as the company boosted bed capacity, and added that an aging UK population means demand for care services will remain strong.

The Swedish-Swiss engineering group ABB has posted record high profits for last year, and is upbeat about 2008.

Vonage Holdings Corp got new customers and cut its fourth-quarter loss.

The thin-film solar equipment maker First Solar Inc. announced its fourth-quarter net income rose, as it ramped up production of renewable electricity modules.